Discuss the purchase before committing
Tell us the type of business, your proposed timing and which seller records are available. We can discuss the financial review you need and the next steps.
Financial due diligence for Gold Coast business buyers.
Understand the seller’s financial records before committing to a business purchase. Discuss a scoped review of earnings, cash needs and the questions that could change your decision.
Discuss a business purchaseKnow what the review will cover
Start with the business you are buying, the decision you need to make and the information available. Agree the financial checks and deliverable before work begins. A focused review may be appropriate for a smaller purchase; more complex records or structures can require broader work.
Seller records to request
- Financial statements and tax records for the periods being reviewed
- Current management accounts and sales records
- Bank statements and BAS to compare with reported trading
- Payroll information, owner remuneration and claimed profit adjustments
- Stock, equipment, debt and outstanding customer or supplier balances
- The proposed price, inclusions and transaction timetable
Buying a Gold Coast cafe: five financial questions
- Do the sales agree? Compare the reported figures with point-of-sale, banking and tax records, allowing for timing differences.
- What work does the owner do? Understand the labour needed to operate the business and the effect of replacing that work.
- What does a quieter month look like? Examine monthly trading, rather than relying only on an annual total or peak-season results.
- What cash is needed after settlement? Consider stock, wages, supplier payments and the timing of receipts.
- Which costs could change? Identify assumptions about rent, suppliers and equipment, and raise contract questions with your solicitor.
This is a starting checklist, not a completed assessment of a particular business. Missing records and unanswered questions belong in the findings.
What to agree in your quote
Confirm the periods and records to examine, checks to perform, how findings will be presented and whether a follow-up discussion is included. Ask how extra work will be handled. A financial review is not an audit, formal valuation or legal review of the lease and contract.
Planning the next step? See purchase and business structuring, accounting setup and cash flow forecasts. Our hospitality accounting page covers ongoing support.
Need value evidence for a sale or the July 2027 transition? Discuss business valuations and CGT planning as a separate scope.
Discuss a business purchase review
FAQ
Business purchase review questions
What does financial due diligence cover when buying a business?
The agreed scope can cover reported sales, expenses, owner adjustments, working capital, debts and tax records. We compare the information supplied and identify questions or gaps that need resolving. A financial review helps you assess the purchase; it does not establish every legal or operational risk, and is not an audit or formal valuation.
Can you review the numbers before I buy a cafe?
Yes. Start with the seller’s financial records and your proposed purchase timing. For a cafe, useful questions include whether sales reconcile to supporting records, how seasonal trading affects cash, and whether reported profit allows for the work the owner performs. Agree the financial review scope with us and have your solicitor handle the lease and purchase contract.
How long does a business purchase review take?
Timing depends on the scope, completeness of the seller’s records and how quickly questions can be answered. Tell us the proposed contract or due-diligence deadline before agreeing the engagement. We can discuss whether the work can fit that timetable. Missing information may limit the conclusions or require more time; it should not be treated as confirmation that everything is in order.
What does a financial due-diligence review cost?
The price depends on the business, records and depth of work required. Ask for a quote setting out the periods covered, checks, report or findings to be delivered, and any follow-up discussion. Clarify additional work if new issues arise. Legal advice, a formal valuation and audit work are separate services, rather than assumed parts of a financial review.
Can you help with accounting after the purchase?
Yes. We can discuss the purchase structure, accounting setup and ongoing compliance alongside the financial review. Keeping those workstreams coordinated helps identify the records and decisions needed before and after settlement. Your solicitor remains responsible for legal advice on the transaction, and any financing arrangement needs to be agreed with the relevant provider.